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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider Perennial champ TNT tests emerging contender Converge in Vigan clash

Perennial champ TNT tests emerging contender Converge in Vigan clash

Published Oct 17, 2025 11:45 am  |  Updated Oct 17, 2025 01:30 pm

At A Glance

  • Perennial contender TNT test the mettle of an emerging dark horse in Converge as they lock horns when the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup travels up north at the brand-new Chavit Coliseum in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur on Saturday, Oct. 18.


Perennial contender TNT test the mettle of an emerging dark horse in Converge as they lock horns when the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup travels up north at the brand-new Chavit Coliseum in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur on Saturday, Oct. 18.

A champion in two conferences and a finalist in the all-Filipino tiff last season, the Tropang 5G aim to prove that they remain a class above one of the league’s fast-rising teams in the FiberXers.

Tip-off of the clash is at 7:30 p.m. with TNT looking to patch the wounds from its first loss against Barangay Ginebra last time out while Converge gun for a 2-0 start after a rousing start to the season.

The FiberXers are coming off a dominant 129-92 win over newcomer Titan Ultra – a performance that certainly put the league on notice especially with rookie Juan Gomez de Liano coming out with a historic debut.

“More adjustment pa especially on defense. Yan ang kailangan namin for every game na dapat improve pa namin and make sure na enjoy ng mga bata yung game. So do their best, enjoy the game,” said Converge head coach Dennis “Delta” Pineda.

And the FiberXers are surely enjoying playing together, evident in the second overall pick’s dazzling display of 15 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists as well as Justin Arana’s 20-20 showing of 28 points and 22 rebounds.

But the young guns of Converge will be tested against the veteran-laden TNT which will be bannered by Calvin Oftana and RR Pogoy.

The Tropang 5G, for one, are raring to get back on track after absorbing a 92-77 defeat at the hands of rival Kings just last Wednesday, Oct. 15.

In order to do so, however, the team needs more from other players like Jordan Heading, Jio Jalalon, Kelly Williams and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser especially that they are taking on a deep Converge bench.

Schonny Winston, Alec Stockton and Justine Baltazar along with the likes of Rey Suerte, Kevin Racal and JL Delos Santos are primed to be solid contributors for the souped-up FiberXers team.

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